is

¹ American  

[iz] / ɪz /

verb

1. 3rd person singular present indicative of be.

---

idioms

1. as is. as.

IS ² American  

abbreviation

1. information security.

2. Islamic State. See ISIS.

---

is- ³ American  

1. variant of iso- before a vowel.

   isallobar.

---

is. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. island.

2. isle.

---

Is. ⁵ American  

abbreviation

1. Isaiah.

2. island.

3. isle.

---

Is. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. Also: Isa.  Bible Isaiah

2. Island(s) or Isle(s)

---

IS ² British  

abbreviation

1. Iceland (international car registration)

---

is ³ British  

/ ɪz /

verb

1. a form of the present tense (indicative mood) of be 1

---

is ⁴ British  

abbreviation

1. Iceland

---

is- ⁵ British  

combining form

1. variant of iso-

   isentropic

---

Etymology

Origin of is

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch is, Old Norse es, er, German, Gothic ist, Latin est, Greek estí, Old Church Slavonic jestĭ, Sanskrit asti

Example Sentences

Naturalist and narrator extraordinaire David Attenborough is likely beyond the point where he wants to wrestle a baby gorilla in the mountains of Rwanda.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

“This is obviously a scripted ad and it’s genuinely infuriating. Notice how AI’s biggest defenders are the ones cashing checks from it,” wrote screenwriter and director Charlene Bagcal on Threads.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

And while baijiu—a liquor made from fermented grains—has long been integral to Chinese culture and is prized as a luxury gift, especially among older businessmen, the fiery spirit isn’t as popular with the younger generation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The Ducks’ 273 goals this season are the most in franchise history but the 288 they allowed is third-worst all time, leaving the team with the second-highest goal differential of any playoff team.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

As it moves, the truck is quiet, aside from the clinking of pans and cutlery.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith